Welcome

After watching the negativity and arguing during budget seasons, I felt that the School Committee needed a voice to represent all of Cumberland.  In 2019, Cumberland had a 28% aging population.  Giving all of the budget increases just to schools did not service all of Cumberland.

I ran to ensure we were being fiscally responsible with our School Budget, and to ensure we were always looking to find solutions when issues arose. 

One of the biggest complaints we heard was around the busing company.  Many families had issues with late arriving buses.  When negotiating a new bus contract, I worked along side another School Committee Member to implement Standard Service Levels for the bus company to continuously meet.  These Levels had financial penalties attached, allowing us to charge the bus company for late buses, or doubling up of buses.  Since implementing that contract, the number of complaints has drastically reduced.

Also, when studying all our bus routes, I noticed there seemed to be an error on how many buses we were using versus how many buses were being charged to us monthly.  I raised this matter to the Finance Director and Superintendent, and it was indeed an error.  The error was corrected, and we were reimbursed approximately $90,000.

Under the new bus contract just signed (2024), I had requested for further changes to how we were being charged for buses used for out of district transportation.  We are required to bus all students who need services offered elsewhere.  The State does allow us to use their busing but the cost is far too much.  With our new bus contract, we have negotiated to have our bus company start transporting these students and for a much less cost than the State.

Also, I have been on the Policies & Procedures Subcommittee.  There continues to be many law changes implemented to protect all students and it requires constant adjustments and additions to our Policies.  I have spent a great deal of time reading new and changing laws, and always ensuring our Policies align to the laws.  

I have always been conservative in my personal beliefs.  The School Committee though is not about implementing changes to only fit my personal beliefs.

Being a School Committee Member is a non-partisan position.  My duties are to research, understand, and align policies or procedures to match federal and state requirements and to always ensure our students receive the best education we can offer.